Josie has set up a lemonade stand outside of her home a couple of times to raise money, and has plans for another. She is also selling beaded accessories, which include necklaces and her own unique designs.

This is the first time Josie has raised money for the Hunger Walk, and she came up with the idea to do so herself. The family heard about the walk through their church, First Congregational Church.

The Hunger Walk enables the Henderson County Hunger Coalition to provide food to people facing crisis situations, according to a news release. Money collected goes to the Council on Aging, Calvary Episcopal Food Pantry, Fishes and Loaves, Blue Ridge Health Center, Hendersonville Rescue Mission, Interfaith Assistance Ministry, Safelight, the Salvation Army, The Storehouse and Western Carolina Community Action.

Even at a young age, Josie realizes not everyone has the opportunity for three meals a day like she does. That thought inspired her to want to do something.

“I would feel really horrible not to have that,” Josie explained.

Her empathy and compassion has made her parents proud.

“I am really proud of her and who she is,” her mother, Sadie Crum, said. She and her husband, Sage, have always made a point to show their three children the importance of giving back. The kids are encouraged to donate a portion of the allowance they earn through chores to local nonprofits.

The local Humane Society is an organization Josie always wants to support, her mother said.

Josie has a big heart, and aims to help the community in other ways as well. She helped start a club at her school, “Kids Can Change the World.” Members are selling some of the beaded designs Josie enjoys making.

She wants to use the money to buy a “buddy bench” for the school. The idea would be that a child who doesn’t have someone to play with at recess would go sit on the bench, and other kids will know they need a play partner.

Josie has also written letters to family members to let them know how she is raising money for the Hunger Walk, and to see if they’d like to donate to the cause. She plans to make her fundraiser an annual tradition.

“You want to see your kids be good, loving and happy people,” Sadie Crum said. “I am just so proud of Josie for using her time and talent to help others.”

Josie says she got her love for giving from her mom, who has taught her how to be kind, and how her actions affect others.

“If you have a chance to do something good, you should do it,” Josie said.

The Hunger Walk

This year’s Hunger Walk is Saturday, Sept. 22. Registration is at 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 8:30 a.m., starting at shelter No.1 in Jackson Park in Hendersonville.

The walk travels through downtown Hendersonville toward Lenox Park and Kanuga for a five- to 10-mile loop. There is also a one- to two-mile “Fun Walk” inside Jackson Park.

Participants can join the Hunger Walk through a community or school organization, neighborhood, club, religious organization, business or as individuals.

Pledge envelopes are available at various churches and organization and at Mud Creek Baptist Church office at 403 Rutledge Drive in Hendersonville from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

This year’s Hunger Walk is dedicated to Roy Harris, the long-time coordinator of the walk at First Congregational Church in Hendersonville, according to the release. Harris raised $4,000 his first year as coordinator in 2011, and increased that to more than $25,000 in 2017. He recently retired and moved to Virginia to be near family.

The 2018 Hunger Walk goal is $100,000, which can be achieved through donations and the generosity and kindness of people like Josie.

Those who would like to mail in donations can address and send to: Henderson County Hunger Coalition, P.O. Box 6151, Hendersonville, NC 28793-6151. Do not mail in cash. Make checks payable to Henderson County Hunger Coalition or HCHC.

More information is available at www.hendersoncountyhungercoalition.org.

Reach Rebecca Walter at rebecca.walter@blueridgenow.com

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